Józef Wiesław Modelski

Józef Modelski was born on 25 March 1949 in Kawnice (wielkopolskie region). In 1967 he graduated from the secondary school in Konin, having been the winner of nationwide chemistry and physics contests. He received his M.Sc. degree in electronics (specialization: radio engineering) in 1973 at the Faculty of Electronics of Warsaw University of Technology (WUT). The Faculty Council has also granted him the degrees: Ph.D. (1978), based on the dissertation: Method of Designing a Microwave Analogue Phase Shifter in a Set Frequency Band (with distinction), and the D.Sc. (1987) for the monograph: Microwave Analogue Modulators and Phase Shifters. In 1994 he received the state title of Professor. 

Since 1973 Józef Modelski has been employed at the Institute of Radioelectronics of Warsaw University of Technology, holding in sequence all academic positions from teaching/research assistant to tenured professor (1991). In 1976-77 he spent 13 months in the US as a Fulbright grantee working with the microwave laboratories at the Texas University in Austin, Cornell University (Ithaca) and Communication Satellite Corporation COMSAT (Clarksburg). In 1985 he spent 6 months in Germany as a DAAD grantee. He has been on numerous research internships to European telecommunications firms and universities in inter alia: UK, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Germany. In 1986 he joined for 2 years the Braunschweig Technical University (Germany) as a senior scientist and visiting professor.

J. Modelski’s research interests focus on microwave techniques, radiocommunications and television. In the early 70’s he participated in the creation of methods and equipment for measuring microwave semiconductor diodes parameters. Thereafter, for over ten years he dealt with the design and construction of microwave modulators and phase shifters used in telecommunication systems – at first devices with semiconductor diodes, and in the 80’s also devices with MESFET transistors and ferrite elements. During his stay at the Braunschweig Technical University he was involved in researching the design of microwave subsystems in the technology of integrated waveguides INWATE and he was one of the coordinators of the research project focused on working out the prototype of a satellite converter for the German telecommunications industry.

In the years 1983-94 he conducted research on the design of accurate methods for analyzing dielectric and ferrite resonators as well as applying these resonators in filters, generators and material properties measurements in microwave band. In recent years his research interests have mainly focused on ferroelectric and smart antennas. J. Modelski has managed several major research projects conducted for national entities, inter alia: designing the concept and conditions for the implementation of GSM-R System for the Polish Railways (1997-99).

He is the author and co-author of over 250 publications, 9 patents and 4 monographs, inter alia: Microwave Modulators and Phase Shifters with Semiconductor Diodes (WNT, 1984), Dielectric Resonators and their Applications (PWN, 1990). His major original achievements implemented in practice include: the microwave integrated phase modulator used in the transmitter of the INTELSAT satellite, which is part of the worldwide system of satellite communications (USA, 1978) and the TV converter integrated circuit in the INWATE technology for receiving programmes from the French-German COPERNICUS satellite (implemented for mass production, Germany, 1988). Within the last few years he has initiated and co-organized a fair number of international programmes.  His research team is currently carrying out 5 European projects: 2 EU specific targeted research projects: Reconfigurable Systems for Mobile Local Communication and Positioning RESOLUTION as well as Core Subsystem for Delivery of Multi-Band Data in CATV CODMUCA,  integrated EU project: Co-operative Systems for Road Safety “ Smart Vehicles on Smart Roads” SAFESPOT, 2 EU networks of excellence : Antenna Centre of Excellence ACE2 and Top Amplifier Research Groups in a European Team TARGET.   For his research achievements he has received 6 Awards of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Technology (1979, 1981, 1989), Minister of Education Awards (1991, 1995) and the Chairman of Technical Sciences Division of the Polish Academy of Sciences Award (1998).  

J. Modelski has lectured the following courses: Electromagnetic Field Theory (1979-89), Microwave Techniques (1978-81), Contemporary Applications of Microwaves (1983 -97), Satellite Television (1988-99), Cable Television (1989-98), Antenna Analysis and Design (1995-2001). Satellite Communications (1997-). He is the co-author of the textbook: Selection of Problems on the Electromagnetic Field Theory (WNT, 1990) as well as two textbooks for laboratories: Measurements of Antennas Characteristics and Basics of Radiocommunications. In the 90’s he coordinated two European educational programs: TEMPUS: JEP-2038 The Use of Computers in Electrical Engineering Education (1991-94) and JEP-7403: Modern Technologies in Telecommunications for New Polish Educational Systems (1994-97). At that time, he also initiated and co-established several new laboratories for television, antennas and radiocommunications at the Institute of Radioelectronics, WUT. He has also started up a new specialization at the regular studies – Radiocommunications and Multimedia Techniques, initiated evening and continuing education studies of Radiocommunications specialization as well as launched specialistic courses within the framework of Radiocommunications Study, Multimedia Techniques and Biomedical Engineering- RADEM, for in-company trainings.  He has been supervisor of over 100 B.Sc. and M.Sc. theses, as well as 14 Ph.D. dissertations. For the didactic achievements he has received numerous distinctions, including the Medal of National Education.

In the years 1980-85 J.Modelski acted as proxy for the Rector of WUT and Chair of the Rector’s Committee on Foreign Internships for Students. From 1994-96 he was Head of the specialization Radiofrequency Engineering at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technologies, WUT. Since 1998 he has been a Member of the Rector’s Committee for the University Development and Modernization. In the years 1988-2000 he also headed the Television Division at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technologies. Since 1996 he has held the position of the Director of the Institute of Radioelectronics at WUT and since 2003 he has been Head of the Radiocommunications Division at the Institute. He is Founder and President of the Foundation for the Development of Radiocommunications and Multimedia Technologies (1999-). Since 2006 he has also been Chair of the Council of Academic Sports Association, WUT.

In 2006 Professor Modelski was elected President-Elect of IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society. He has been a Fellow Member of IEEE (2000-), Chairman of the International Conference on Microwaves, Radar and Wireless Communications MIKON (1995-), and since 2004 Chairman of the Microwave and Radar Week in Poland. J. Modelski has been Member of the AdCom of Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (2000-) and was IEEE Region 8 Vice-chair for Technical Activities in the years 2005-06. Since 1997, he has been a Member of General Assembly of the European Microwave Association, Member of Board of the Electronics and Telecommunications Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) and Member of the Board of Space Research Committee, at PAN. He is also the Chair of Microwaves and Radiolocation Section (PAN) as well as Chair of Astronautics and Space Techniques Commission (PAN). He is Associated Member of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences and Warsaw Scientific Society. He is the Chair of the Programme Committee of the Polish Chamber of Electronic Telecommunication Conferences – PIKE. He is also  Member of Scientific Councils at the National Institute of Telecommunications and Telecommunications Research Institute. Professor Modelski acts as a consultant to many governmental agencies, industry and telecommunication operators. Professor Modelski was a Member of the “Interministerial Space Coordination Council” – Advisory Body towards Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006, as well as Chairman of the Telecommunication Council – Advisory Body towards President of the Office of Telecommunications and Post Regulations, and acted as Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Research Center of Radio and Television CENRiT from 1991 to 2006. He has been a Member of TPC and Steering Committees of numerous foreign and national conferences in the field of electronics and telecommunications (inter alia: International Microwave Symposium (USA), European Microwave Conference) and member of Editorial Committees of several scientific international and Polish periodicals (e.g. IEEE Transactions on MTT, Proceedings of the EuMA, Electronics and Telecommunications Quarterly PAN).

J. Modelski has been awarded inter alia:, the Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of the Restoration of Poland, the Medal of National Education, the Golden Cross of Merits, the Minister of Communication Distinction, IEEE Third Millenium Medal, Walter Cox Award, Awards of the Minister of National Education and the Minister of Science. Recently, he was awarded the Medal of 80^th Anniversary of Polish Broadcasting.

He is married, has three children aged 31, 28 and 16 and a 2-year old granddaughter. His interests include classical opera and medieval history; he enjoys skiing, gardening and playing bridge.